Rebel Encounter II

Rebel Encounter II is a random encounter in Tales from the Tiers.

Transcript
You stop short as a javelin plants itself in the ground at your feet. Several Unbroken soldiers seemingly materialize from nowhere on the road ahead, axes hefted and javelins drawn. Grit clings to tarnished bronze armor and dust hides in the folds of threadbare cloth. You see the soldiers marching in formation on the road ahead of you. They don't seem openly aggressive, but as they come nearer, you realize that they're flying the standard of Old Stalwart. Upon noting you, the leader raises a gauntleted hand in a fist, and the group stops short. The standard bearer sinks her flag into the soil. You round a bend in the road and come face to face with a group of warriors in bronze mail and heavy, jagged helms, each seated on a rock or leaning against a tree. They look to you, slowly rising to their feet, readying axes and mauls. "Stormcaller!" the leader calls out. "We are the true sons and daughters of Old Stalwart. You ruined our cities and fields with your Edict, shattered our nation's royal line, and stolen our greatest citadel, yet we persist. So long as the blood of Stalwart runs through these veins," he slaps an open palm against his sword arm, "the Overlord shall be resisted! Your blood, however, will water these roads. To the void with you, bane of Stalwart!" "Governor," one greets you with a mocking bow. "One would think that Raetommon would have had you killed when you returned, given everything you've done to us. But he didn't, and now he's dead." The warriors lower their shoulders and bend their knees, readying to strike. "Those of us left, we've no intention of repeating that mistake." "Fatebinder," one says darkly. "Surely you didn't think that the Brotherhood ended with Raetommon. Surely you didn't think that we'd forget or forgive his end." The warriors lower their shoulders and bend their knees, readying to strike. "Surely you knew it would come to this: the Brotherhood's end or yours." "Fatebinder!" the leader calls out, extending an index finger towards you. "We are the true sons and daughters of Stalwart. You may have slaughtered our Regent, but you have not defeated us. So long as the blood of Stalwart runs through these veins," he slaps an open palm against his sword arm, "the Overlord shall be resisted! Your blood, however, will water these roads. Die, slave of Kyros!" One of the men steps forward, striking blade against shield as if he didn't already have your attention. "For Mattias and for Stalwart!" he shouts. "Death to all tyrants!" Attack them. Speak to them. The Bronze Brother releases a shrill whistle, and his cohort moves to attack. Your hands near your weapons, you consider your words carefully. Defuse the situation. Threaten them. [10000 rings] Bribe them. You've barely gotten the first words out when the Bronze Brother cuts you off with a swipe of his blade. "We're not here for words." He whistles, and his cohort charges. You laugh at the mercenaries. Do they truly take you as so easy a mark, you ask. How many of them will you have to kill before they'll leave you be? "He has a point," a tall man with a maul mutters. The mercenary leader looks to him, then among his compatriots. He scowls at you. "We'll let you go. This time." The Brothers leave you to continue your journey. The mercenaries glance among themselves, but the leader seems unconvinced. "Go screw yourself sideways, asshole," he barks. With a raised hand and a whistle, he signals the attack. The mercenaries glance at one another when you offer them an iron ring. "You think an iron pays for the lives you've taken? It doesn't begin to!" Shouts rise from his fellows. "That said, we're not unreasonable. Make it five iron, and we'll forget we saw you. For today, at least." Accept the offer. Decline. The Bronze Brother takes the offered iron rings. He glances back at you as he leads his cohort away. "Be seeing you, [Player Title|." Attack them. Speak to them. You ready your arms and prepare for combat. Your words go unheeded as the Unbroken charge. Attack them. Speak to them. You ready your arms and prepare for combat. Your hands near your weapons, you consider your words carefully. Defuse the situation. Threaten them. [10000 rings] Bribe them. "You DARE offer us iron as penance?!" the soldier screams, spittle leaping from his lips. "Even your life shall not balance your crimes!" They roar as one and advance. You shout at the soldiers, reminding them that you took their keep from them, slain dozens of them already, and called down Edicts. "You must be under the impression," their leader says grimly, "that we have something left to lose." He raises his weapon, and his men charge. Hands raised and palms open, you speak to the soldiers in the practiced calm of the Court of Fatebinders... You speak of their bravery and that of the people of their homeland. The death of Straydus was a regrettable necessity to free the region from the yoke of the Edict of Storms. This cycle of violence need not continue here today. They need not throw away their lives, lives that would be better served helping their home rebuild. The squad's leader wipes his face. "Perhaps you're right. Perhaps there's still work to be done in Stalwart." He looks to his fellows, and they nod in agreement. "Farewell, Fatebinder. May we never meet again." "Shove your honeyed words up Kyros' ass!" the Regent shouts. His soldiers roar in support as they charge. Flee the area. You escape unscathed and continue your journey. Continue... Continue... Continue...